Sunday, June 23, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Mark 4:35–41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (NRSV)

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Reflection

The disciples got on a boat with Jesus to do a very ordinary and simple thing. They just wanted to go across to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is not all that big. The Fourth Church touring choir was on the Sea of Galilee on their Middle East tour in 2022, and the Sea of Galilee is much smaller than Lake Michigan, so going across to the other shore should not have been very difficult. Jesus decided to take this opportunity to relax and fall asleep, but unexpectedly a storm appeared and the disciples were scared. They were even afraid of dying in the storm because their boat was going down. Jesus, however, was able to calm the storm by simply saying “Peace! Be still!”

None of us can know what the day will bring. It may start out very routine and mundane just as the disciples’ day started on the Sea of Galilee, but at any moment it can all change, even in an instant. A storm can rise up when we least expect it. You learn of a medical condition that changes your life, or your spouse may get a new job that takes you to a new city. When the storm arises, it is hard to trust that God will be there to calm the storm. When the storm is raging it is all too easy to feel abandoned, lost, even broken.

But God is always there with us; we are not alone. God will calm the storm of our life. We just need to trust with faith that God will act and allow God to work. Often God works through others around us to offer love and compassion. Doctors, pastors, loved ones, and strangers all become the heart, hands, and feet of our loving God. We are all called to help each other when the storm arises, no matter when or where that storm may come. By helping others we are also the one being helped. Blessing others with aid or comfort is a way of being blessed yourself.

I have been blessed to be the Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Today is my final Sunday here. It has been a joy and honor to lead the music program of this faithful and loving congregation. Together we have created inspirational music, with love, that has transformed God’s world. Our music has nourished and touched the lives of millions around the world through choir tours, online videos, and weekly gatherings of choirs and instrumental groups in concerts and worship services. I am grateful to have been a part of this church’s ministry for twenty-eight years. Thanks be to God for blessing us all with the gift of music.

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Prayer
Loving God, thank you for always being with us, even in the storms of life. Help us to always hear you saying “Peace! Be still.” Amen.

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Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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